Men's Track & Field

Brett Croteau 11th in Javelin at NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

May 25, 2013

LACROSSE, WI-- Junior Brett Croteau (Rehoboth, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth HS) of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth track and field team finished 11th in the javelin at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Saturday.

Croteau's second throw was his best, as it went 201 feet, six inches. In addition to being a personal best effort, it ranks as the third best throw in school history. His first throw was 192 feet, and his third was 200 feet, one inch.

His best throw came after a delay of approximately 10 minutes, as officials halted action to measure a throw by Tim Van Liew of Rutgers-Camden, who uncorked a throw of 247 feet, 11 inches, the best throw in the country this year, setting NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships and stadium records. Croteau was in the running to make the finals until the final round of the second and final flight, and two throwers passed Croteau on their final throws.

"I felt good, and overall, it was a good experience," said Croteau. "I felt a little more amped up than usually, and my best throw was right after the guy who set a record. I had two of my top three throws today, and the whole week was a good experience."

"It couldn't have gone much better," said UMass Dartmouth Assistant Coach Darren DeAndrade, who coaches the throwers. "He was well-prepared. The guy in front of him threw a bomb, and he couldn't have responded any better. There was quite a delay, and after that, he had two of the best throws of his career. He got good exposure, and it was a great season."

"I was real proud of Brett, he finished higher than his seed," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Steve Gardiner. "It came down to the last throw in the second flight, and we were hanging on to ninth, and a couple of guys had their best throws of the day. For Brett to have two of the best throws of his career in his first time on the national stage, I couldn't be happier for him. He beat several guys who were seeded ahead of him, it's been a great year, and, hopefully, he can build on this for next year."